One of the few certainties in the 2014 Crabbies Grand National is that the horse that 18-times champion jockey Tony McCoy chooses to ride will be among the racing betting favourites for the ‘world’s greatest steeplechase’.
Back in 2010 the mighty McCoy finally achieved a life’s ambition by riding the heavily backed Don’t Push It to a famous success that catapulted the living legend to iconic status in the British sporting world – he was later named BBC Sports Personality of the Year – and secured his place on the outstanding list of winners of the thrilling four-and-a-half miles marathon event.
Despite passing the 4000 career winners mark earlier this season, the Northern Irishman shows no sign of letting up in his pursuit of more and more successes and the two horses expected to be the centre of his attention in the build-up to the big race at Aintree on April 5 are Colbert Station, who unseated McCoy at The Chair in last season’s Grand National, and the progressive Martin Brassil-trained Double Seven, winner of his last five races.
Colbert Station, sent off at just 12/1 to win last year’s race after a flood of money in the racing live betting from the morning of the contest, is now asked to race off a 2lb higher mark but has shown signs that he retains all his ability. You would have to say though that he didn’t appear totally in love with the National fences and was towards the rear of the field when exiting at halfway last April.
Double Seven has improved more than 35lbs in the last year and includes the Munster National amongst his winning streak. Most recently he landed a listed event at Wexford in October but must have decent ground so would be an unlikely runner if the going is soft. The Aintree ground is normally decent though, so the current offer of 33/1 in the racing live betting will surely tempt some people into investing early.
